Newport County earned a hard-fought point in a goalless draw against Colchester United at the JobServe Community Stadium.
The Exiles put in a disciplined display, with the entire team putting their bodies on the line to block and clear numerous Colchester United attacks.
It marked a sixth clean sheet of the season for Newport County and moves the Exiles up into 16th place as it stands.
Head coach Nelson Jardim named an unchanged side to the one that drew with AFC Wimbledon last time out, with Geoffroy Bony and Joe Thomas both making back-to-back starts.
The first chance of the game fell to Cameron Antwi on the edge of the box. After a great touch by Kyle Hudlin, the midfielder’s powerful shot towards goal took a deflection wide.
Colchester United went dangerously close to opening the score shortly after. A dangerous ball by Mandela Egbo into the box took a deflection off a County defender and narrowly passed the left post.
Matt baker went close on the 21st minute with the defender hitting a right footed shot in the box toward goal. His effort was saved well by Colchester keeper, Matt Macey.
It was Colchester United’s turn to break on the counter utilising the pace of Samson Tovide. After a swift move, Tovide found himself with space in the box but Baker did brilliantly to break the attack down.
Just before the half the U’s went closest to an opener. Tom Flanagan’s looping header looked to be going in but Shane McLoughlin did brilliantly to clear off the line.
Half time
The Exiles started the half positively with Michael Spellman driving down the left wing. The attacking fired a powerful shot at Macey but the keeper did well to hold his effort.
Soon after Colchester hit on the break with Jack Payne. The attacking mdifielder’s strike from distance was saved well by Nick Townsend who held on to the effort.
Second half substitute, Bobby Kamwa, was a bright spark down the right hand side. The winger did brilliantly to outpace Ellis Iandolo and produced a good cross to find Spellman but he was unable to control.
Second half change for the U’s, Oscar Thorn, did well to get a low cross into the box but Ciaran Brennan did brilliantly to divert the ball away.
Following a ball into the box by Anthony Glennon, Brennan did brilliantly to flick his header toward goal. However his header was headed away for a corner.
After a loose pass from Baker, Tovide found himself in on goal but he couldn’t take the ball around the onrushing Townsend who pounced on the ball.
It was once again Kamwa who was threatening on the right wing. His ball into the box was met by Luke Jephcott but his effort was blocked well.
Just before the end of the ninety minutes, Tovide did brilliantly to cross into the path of Taylor. The striker’s effort was put wide after significant pressure from Brennan.
In injury time, Brennan did brilliantly to once again prevent a Colchester shot on target. Taylor was once again the culprit with his powerful volley blocked brilliantly by Brennan to see out ether game.
Full Time
Newport County return to Sky Bet League Two action as they host MK Dons on Saturday (3pm).
Newport County: Townsend, Thomas (Glennon 46’), Baker, Brennan, McLoughlin, Morris, Antwi (Mawene 72’), K.Evans, Bony (Kamwa 46’), Hudlin (Jephcott 72’), Spellman (Jameson 92’).
Substitutes: Carney, Clarke.
Colchester United: Macey, Egbo, Flanagan, Donnelly, Iandolo, McDonnell, Read (Bishop 65’), Anderson (Thorn 46’), Payne (Taylor 65’), Edwards (Gordon 77’), Tovide.
Substitutes: Smith, Kelleher, Hunt, Taylor.
